Sitapur

Uttar Pradesh Police on Wednesday arrested a priest who had given "rape threats" to Muslim women in a speech in Sitapur district earlier this month.

Sitapur Superintendent of Police RP Singh said that Mahant Bajrang Muni Das arrested for his controversial remarks on Muslim women.

Recently, an FIR was filed against Das, and Prashant Kumar, ADG (Law and Order) Uttar Pradesh had promised stringent action against the accused.

Mahant Bajrang Muni Das, however, claimed that the video has been "distorted" to frame him under "false charges".

"There are 80 per cent Muslims, 20 per cent Hindus in Khairabad. Hindus' condition in such a situation needn't be told. During our 'kalash yatra', they were prepared with sticks and stones to repeat Karauli-like incident but due to police, it didn't happen," he said.

He also talked of retribution. "If they'll harass our daughters, their daughters won't be safe too. The video is distorted to fabricate charges against me," he said.

Last Friday, the National Commission for Women had written to the Director-General of Police of Uttar Pradesh about the alleged incident in the Sitapur district.

In her letter, NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma condemned Bajrang Muni Das’ remarks and sought an FIR against him.

The NCW said it sent a letter to the DGP after coming across a Twitter post with a video of the priest who made the threat while addressing a gathering at the Sitapur district.

"People talking like this in public about raping women of a certain community is not acceptable. We have written today itself to UP DGP and I'm going to take up this matter personally with him. Whether they are religious Godmen or anybody, they should be taken to task," Sharma said.

A copy of the NCW president's letter was also sent to the Superintendent of Police, Sitapur.